A Lancaster man charged in a fatal hit-and-run crash last summer apologized to the victim's family in court on Monday.

Marqevius Deandre Hood pleaded guilty Monday to reckless homicide and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. According to 6th Circuit Solicitor Doug Barfield, Hood was speeding away from Lancaster Police Department officers on Aug. 20, 2008, when he lost control of the Lincoln he was driving and rear-ended a motorcycle driven by John Haver, 68.

Lancaster County Council may decide the fate of the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department at its meeting Monday night.

The Lancaster County Fire Commission has recommended that the department be closed. The commission, made up of representatives from the 19 fire departments in the county, says the station is not in compliance with county standards.

But County Council has final say on whether to ax the department or not.

During its July 6 meeting, council spent more than two hours on the issue.

Children and teens are the main actors in a unique adaptation of “Treasure Island” hitting the Community Playhouse of Lancaster stage this weekend.

The play is an adaptation of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novel about a young boy, Jim Hawkins, who finds a treasure map and makes a trip to Skeleton Island, meeting Long John Silver along the way.

Director Eric Grace created his own adaptation that uses a cast of 18 teens and children. He said he used a combination of different versions of the play to create his own.

I have struggled with how best to convey my regret in letting so many down, and in that regard I realize this op-ed does not do justice to the process of saying “I am sorry.”

A handwritten note or phone call would ultimately be more appropriate, but given the number of people I need to apologize to I write this to begin the journey of trying to get things more right with you and others.

The past several weeks have been ones of turmoil for our state. The actions of Gov. Mark Sanford have shocked and saddened us all. He has broken the public trust and now has the burden of answering for those actions.

While I do not condone what our governor has done, any actions from this point forward must be reasonable, responsible and based on fact with the best interests of South Carolina at the forefront.

His admitted relationship with a woman other than his wife is not of the utmost concern except to him, his wife, family and God.

The Lancaster Southern Belles softball all-stars highlighted an exciting finish to capture the state championship and a berth in the World Series on Wednesday night in Seneca.

The Belles, after dropping their first postseason loss, rebounded to down Saluda 5-4 in nine innings to wrap up the state crown and Series bid to Sumter. The Belles’ regulation games are seven innings.

Saluda had defeated Lancaster 5-4 in nine innings earlier Wednesday afternoon to force a decisive second meeting that night.